Hospitals equipped on need, not campaigns

Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek says she decides which hospitals receive MRI machines on the basis of need, not by how hard local members campaign.

The Gillard government had spent more than $100 million since 2007 on 200 full or partial licenses for MRI machines, Ms Plibersek said.

The process of deciding where those machines go is very strict and kept at arm's length, and wasn't based on pressure from local MPs lobbying for their electorates.

Federal Labor MP Ed Husic has questioned the government's decision to spend more than $20 million on a Disney film when he has lobbied in vain "for ages" for a MRI machine for his local Mount Druitt hospital.

Ms Plibersek had no doubt Mr Husic, whose western Sydney seat is under threat in an election year, had fought hard for his electorate.

"But I don't hand out MRI machines on the basis of good local campaigning," she told Sky News on Thursday.

"I've got to consider communities right across Australia, and I'll do that fairly."